Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/360

Go with us ye needs must till we have seen thy damsel safely set in good hands: or what do ye with her? Said the Maiden: O my masters, this is my foster-mother, and to say sooth the only mother that I have known; it is with all my will that I go where she leadeth. I pray you let her do her will. And she was sore moved, and wept. Let-a-be, child, said the Carline, caressing her; if these lords are fain to be our guides and guards, let us thank them kindly for it and go with them joyfully. The chapmen looked keenly on her, but could see nought amiss in her way of speech; so they trowed in her, and went about their matters arraying them for departure, and right joyous they seemed of the adventure. As for the Maiden, she yet wept; and when the Carline got to talk to her apart, as was easy amidst all the bustle, the sweetling said amidst her tears: O my mother, I know not how to bear it, that now after all is done I am to be a thrall, and sold to someone, I know not who. And I shall be hidden away from the quest and the quest from me, so that I shall never see my love again. And even now who knows how sorely he longeth for me! Nay, my sweetling, said the Carline, hold up thine heart; no thraldom shall befall thee from these men, for I shall most surely deliver thee; but let them first bring us safe toward the edge of the mountains, and we will take their false guesting the while for what it is worth, and trust me I shall watch them all the while. So the Maiden stayed her weeping, but was shy and